Rule of Two and Three - Rule of 2 and 3

Every now and then, you are not quite sure whether to bid or even bid one level higher than the opponents. Every now and then, you are not quite sure whether to sacrifice to obtain a better result than the previous table. Every now and then, you are not quite sure whether to preempt, attempting an Advanced Save.

The Rule of Two and Three is sort of a guideline
used in determining whether to make a preemptive bid, whether to overcall or overbid,
whether to make that sacrifice, or simply pass.

Using the numbers, a bridge player should be
aware of the fact that he cannot afford to be set more than 500 points. This number
is rather the magic boundary. If the opponents have game and they are not vulnerable,
then the result equals minus 400-420 points for you. If the opponents are vulnerable,
then the amount equals minus 600-620 points for you.

If you are not vulnerable, doubled, down two,
then the result is minus 300 points for you.

If you are vulnerable, doubled, down two, then the result is minus 500 points.

But, if you are not vulnerable, doubled, down three, then the result is minus 500 points for you.

If you are vulnerable, doubled, down three, then the result is minus 800 points.

Conclusion: taking the risk of being down two
tricks, doubled, vulnerable, or taking the risk of being down three tricks, doubled,
not vulnerable, is not all that bad.

The guideline passes along the information
that at a contract of 4 Hearts, the declarer should have 8 tricks if he is vulnerable,
if this is clearly a preempt or sacrifice, and 7 tricks if he is not vulnerable.
The position at the table should also be taken into consideration

With the Rule of Two and Three, there is very
little mathematical calculation besides adding up quickly the different results very
likely achieved according to vulnerability. As a bridge player, you are looking to
achieve the best score, but there should be reasoning and logic and information behind
your Preempt, Sacrifice, Advanced Save or Overcall.

Please remember that the Rule of Two and Three
applies only to the almost certain assumption that the opponents can bid game, not slam. The action of sacrificing against almost certain slams takes on another form.

If you wish to include this feature, or any other
feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain
that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature
is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with
the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the
game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on
your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature
during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according
to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure
regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised
during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information
as concisely and as accurately as possible.